London - A South African woman accused of murdering her
three young disabled children in London will be moved to a secure hospital for
immediate treatment for mental health problems, a court heard on Tuesday.

Tania Clarence, 42, sobbed quietly as she appeared via video
link from prison, where she is being held on suspicion of killing her 3-year-old
twin sons, Ben and Max, and 4-year-old daughter Olivia.

The children were most likely suffocated, prosecutors told
the hearing at a court in London, although further tests are being carried out.

All three suffered from Type 2 spinal muscular atrophy - a
genetic condition which leaves children with little control of their movements
and can drastically shorten their life expectancy.

Clarence was detained after the three bodies were found at
the family's home in New Malden, southwest London, on 22 April.

'Overriding need for immediate treatment'

She will now be moved to a secure hospital under Britain's
Mental Health Act after Judge Brian Barker said he had heard evidence suggesting
an "overriding need for immediate treatment".

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